Social Security Administration, Deputy Commissioner for Finance, Assessment and Management, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21207-5279

R -- CONSULTANTS TO SSA ON THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS UNDER PL 106-170 THE TICKET TO WORK AND WORK INCENTIVES IMPROVEMENT ACT SOL SSA-RFP-00-0322 DUE 080200 POC Joe Tanzi, Contract Specialist, Phone 4109659470, Fax 4109669310, Email joe.tanzi@ssa.gov WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&ProjID=SSA-RFP-00-03 22&LocID=2422. E-MAIL: Joe Tanzi, joe.tanzi@ssa.gov. The Social Security Administration (SSA) seeks to establish a team of experts to provide consultation and advice to the agency on all aspects of research projects responding to the Congressional mandate in PL 106-170, The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA). The TWWIA legislation may be viewed on the following web site: www.ssa.gov, _Employment Support for People with Disabilities,_ legislation. SSA proposes to establish a team of approximately 5 to 7 consultants by contracting with individuals having expertise covering the following 7 subject matter areas: Labor Economics, Statistics-Sample Design, Experimental/Research Design, Health Measurement, Survey Methods, Quantitative/Statistical Methods and Employment/Vocational Rehabilitation. These positions are part-time and are each expected to require 100 to 250 hours per contract year. These consultants will assist in the planning, design, implementation and evaluation phases of the TWIIA project. It is critical that SSA establish a credible, scientific approach to assessing outcomes under key program alternatives which are to be tested under the provisions of the Act. Note: Because of the nature of the work to be performed, including the possibility of assisting SSA in the development of future acquisitions, an organizational conflict of interest clause will be incorporated into each contract award. The ideal candidate for each contract will have appropriate education credentials; have a broad range of experience in the appropriate subject area; and be free from any apparent or potential conflict of interest or ideological bias that could affect the objectivity of the research. For an expert in Labor Economics, this experience would be in conducting research on labor supply issues, including empirical studies of labor supply behavior. For an expert in Statistical-Sample Design, the experience would be in designing and selecting nationally representative statistical samples for large-scale surveys or social science experiments. For an expert in Experimental/Research Design, the experience would be in designing experiments, field trials, demonstration projects, or similar research projects utilizing scientifically valid designs as a means of assessing differential outcomes or behavioral responses. For the expert in Health Measurement, the experience would be in measuring disability, health, and/or functioning, especially as it is related to work. For an expert in Survey Methods, the experience would be in designing large-scale surveys and questionnaires for data collection and analysis of issues related to disability, health, and/or employment. For the expert in Quantitative/Statistical Methods, the experience would be in evaluating large-scale experiments or demonstration projects and modeling longitudinal outcomes. For the expert in Employment/Vocational Rehabilitation, the experience would include developing and/or operating programs, or evaluating programs, that provide employment and or Vocational Rehabilitation services to disabledpersons. It is anticipated that each contract for the respective expert would be part-time (100 to 250 hours) for a base one-year term and each of 4 one-year options. Sources interested in this requirement should e-mail their name, address and e-mail address, within 15 days of the publication date to joe.tanzi@ssa.gov. (U.S. Mail is also acceptable.) The solicitation will be available for downloading, on or about July 3, 2000, from the EPS website at http://www.eps.gov. See Numbered Note 26. Posted 06/13/00 (D-SN464393). (0165)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0073 20000615\R-0007.SOL)